Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Bret "The Hitman" Hart

Bret "The Hitman" Hart will make his video game return as a non-playable manager in Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. He will also be a huge part of one character's "Road to Wrestlemania". It hasn't been confirmed, but we're keeping our fingers crossed for a Hart Dynasty tag team story line. Others believe that a Vince McMahon story could also be in the works.

Regardless, Bret will be rocking his glasses, custom leather jacket, and the jean shorts we've recently seen him in. Here's hoping for a DLC Legend version of the Hitman.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Blood Bath

While WWE programming has been toned down over the last few years to earn a PG rating, the Smackdown vs. Raw series will continue to carry the T Rating granted by the ESRB. This is good news for those fans who enjoy a bit of blood and realism when it comes to using weapons.

In a recent press release, THQ made it clear that the blood effects in this year's game have been improved upon. Similar to the way tables will break differently each time, wrestlers will respond to weapon attacks in very different ways.

The scenario used in the press release is as follows:

Players will be able to use a variety of weapons under and around the ring. Chairs, Singapore canes, sledgehammers, ladders, the ring bell, and over twenty other weapons will be usable and cause varying levels of damage. A wrestler hit over the head with a chair multiple times will be cut open and begin to bleed. As the match progresses, the blood will flow from the injured wrestler and stain the canvas. If the same wrestler takes a cane shot to the chest over and over again, a cut will form and bleed. This will cause more blood and quite a mess in the ring. The blood will also appear on weapons and the opponent. The cuts will never be in the same place twice and are directly related to where the wrestler is hit. For the squeamish, blood can be turned off in the match options menu.

While this isn't something WWE fans expected to be in this year's game, it's a welcome surprise. We'll keep you posted as the news comes in.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Strap Match

THQ has confirmed that its latest addition to the Smackdown series will contain the strap match as a selectable match type. After receiving a positive response to the inferno match in its last two incarnations, THQ decided that adding new and innovative match types is the way to go.

"We really wanted to include a match that fans have never seen before in a wrestling game," stated Bobby Hodges, senior consumer analyst for THQ. "The strap match has been around forever and we felt that its inclusion in Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 will add new levels of depth and strategy to the terrific gameplay fans are already accustomed to."

When asked about the mechanics of the strap match, THQ had no problem shelling out the details.

"Both players will be tied to each other by an 8 foot leather strap. The wrestlers will then be limited to how far they can distance themselves from one another. Depending on the amount of stamina the wrestler currently has at any given moment effects their ability to manipulate the strap in their favor. If their stamina is high, they can pull their opponent around the ring like a dog on a leash. If their stamina is low, their opponent will do most of the pulling. We are proud to announce that "quick" yanks of the strap will use the SIXAXIS motion controls. With a quick tug of the controller, players can tug their opponents around, setting them up for high power moves."

The use of the SIXAXIS motion controls is a first for the Smackdown vs. Raw series.

"When the wrestlers are close to each other, pressing R3 will initiate what we've deemed as the "strap" grapple. Once R3 is clicked, the player can choose from four different moves that take advantage of the strap."

THQ was not at liberty to go into details concerning the strap moves, but Hodges did make a choking motion when describing the new grapple. Unfortunately, moves from the top of the turnbuckle and leaving the ring will not be possible in the strap match this year.

With this exciting edition announced, we're looking forward to getting our hands on Smackdown vs. Raw 2011!